“Flickinger Center & Lorrie Black vs. Alamogordo Schools: Case Dismissed”
A “dismissal for lack of prosecution,” also known as a “dismissal for want of prosecution,” refers to a legal case termination due to the plaintiff’s failure to actively pursue it within a specified timeframe. This legal outcome can occur in various cases, such as breach of contract or property damage.
In Alamogordo, a lawsuit was filed as part of a broader effort to change leadership within the Alamogordo Public School System. A small group with a desire to shift the direction of the school district targeted former Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Moore and his leadership team. This campaign included multiple lawsuits, social media attacks, and intimidation tactics, supported by outside organizations such as Moms for Liberty, aiming to influence public opinion and oust Dr. Moore and others in his administration.
Dr. Moore, along with key figures such as Colleen Tagle, suspended Superintendent Pam Renteria, and board members like Judy Rabon, Carol Louise Teweleit, and Amanda French Jewel, became the focal points of this orchestrated effort. These individuals, who were making strides in improving Alamogordo Public Schools (APS), encountered resistance from those who felt their progress threatened the long-standing political “establishment” in the community.
The campaign against APS leadership utilized the courts, social media, and local organizations like Main Gate United, the Flickinger Center, and the Chamber of Commerce to disseminate biased and misleading information, generating public outrage. Tactics included scare campaigns centered on topics such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) – which was never present in APS – trans athletics, homophobia, and misogynistic narratives, ultimately creating chaos within the district.
One prominent lawsuit filed during this period was Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts, et al. v. Board of Education of Alamogordo Public School District #1, et al., which sought to paint APS leadership in a negative light. The case, filed by Lorrie Black and the Flickinger Center against APS and Dr. Moore, alleged violations of free speech, due process, equal protection, access to public records, and defamation. Despite these claims, the case lost momentum, and the plaintiffs stopped pursuing it.
Many speculated that this lawsuit was fundamentally flawed and served merely as a tool to discredit Dr. Moore, Mrs. Rabon, and other board members who were pushing for substantial improvements within APS. As the lawsuit lost traction, the Moms for Liberty organization stepped in, guiding candidates to secure positions on the school board. The new board members eventually did not oppose a competing charter school initiative, rendering the lawsuit irrelevant as the group achieved their primary goals through the court of public opinion rather than the legal system.
The complete 34-page complaint is available for those interested in further details.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hs69JUvMV3SZeDleE2YkOVshC38GoJ8P/view?usp=sharing
Thus the courts took action on 9-16-24 and dismissed the case for lack of disposition.
The Alamogordo Public School (APS) system has found itself entangled in costly legal battles, resulting in thousands of taxpayer dollars being spent on what many view as a politically motivated case. This case, which ultimately was not pursued to completion, forced the district to pay significant legal fees.
As part of the settlement, the district was required to compensate former Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Moore, issue a letter praising his performance, and provide him with a positive reference for future employment. This resolution suggests that the lawsuit’s original intent was more about political maneuvering than legitimate concerns about leadership within the APS.
The financial strain on the APS system continues under the direction of the newly appointed school board, which has incurred further expenses in line with this ongoing agenda. Superintendent Pam Renteria, for instance, remains on paid leave pending an “ongoing investigation” that has stretched on since January. With her contract set to expire in December, she has been inactive despite being a previously passionate and effective civil servant. This inactivity, paid by taxpayer funds, raises concerns about the efficient use of district resources.
Legal expenses continue to escalate as the APS board investigates the cancelled Dreamscape contract, a process that has yet to yield tangible results. Meanwhile, students have been left without access to an immersive IVR (Immersive Virtual Reality) technology system that could have already been implemented had political games not interfered. The delay appears to stem from local players upset that they weren’t awarded the contract, demonstrating that political interests are taking precedence over educational needs.
As these expenses accumulate, the APS system continues to funnel taxpayer money into legal wrangling and investigations, rather than investing in resources to improve student outcomes. The longer this continues, the more students are left without valuable opportunities, and the greater the financial burden placed on the taxpayers of Alamogordo.
